diff --git a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/management/commands/runbuilds.py b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/management/commands/runbuilds.py
index e3145e8be6..80782ef923 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/management/commands/runbuilds.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/management/commands/runbuilds.py
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
                 logger.debug("runbuilds: No build env")
                 return
 
-            logger.debug("runbuilds: starting build %s, environment %s" % \
-                         (str(br).decode('utf-8'), bec.be))
+            logger.info("runbuilds: starting build %s, environment %s" % \
+                        (br, bec.be))
 
             # let the build request know where it is being executed
             br.environment = bec.be
diff --git a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/models.py b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/models.py
index e09ad20dc3..f06c562a38 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/models.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/models.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 from django.db import models
 from django.core.validators import MaxValueValidator, MinValueValidator
-from django.utils.encoding import force_bytes
+from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 from orm.models import Project, ProjectLayer, ProjectVariable, ProjectTarget, Build, Layer_Version
 
 import logging
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ class BuildRequest(models.Model):
         return self.brvariable_set.get(name="MACHINE").value
 
     def __str__(self):
-        return force_bytes('%s %s' % (self.project, self.get_state_display()))
+        return force_text('%s %s' % (self.project, self.get_state_display()))
 
 # These tables specify the settings for running an actual build.
 # They MUST be kept in sync with the tables in orm.models.Project*